Venice: Beautiful 25
Bari: Pleasantly Cool 18
Katakalon (Olympia): Slightly Miserable and quite cool 15
Izmir (Ephesus): Hot but pleasant 25 - there were some
Aussies on the tour and I managed to borrow some much needed blockout from a
lovely Asian Couple from what they called 'Chow-Woo' - Chatswood. I did bring
some but didn't think I would need it.
Istanbul: Very Pleasant 22
Now everybody's most asked question - yes I have been to
casino for a few short periods and am slightly ahead but the cruise is only
half completed ad there is a full day at sea.
Today (Tuesday) we docked in Izmir and took the tour bus to
Ephesus. The tour guide (Orzgay who said if that was too hard to remember Olga
would do) was clear knowledgeable and concise and easy to understand.
Izmir is the third largest city in Turkey with more than
four million people. It looks quite second world as in not first world and not
third world. Interestingly it is in Asia whereas Istanbul straddles Asia and
Europe. A one hour bus drive to what is the finest Greco-Roman ruins I have
ever seen - Ephesus. No words can really describe the imposing nature of this
site. Amphitheatres for 10,000 and 25,000 people, a library whose three storey
high wall still stands, the columns, toilets (pic to follow), bordello and
other features are awesome. I have visited Ephesus in 2003 but having such
positive feelings about it I decided to
do it again and am glad I did.
It is hard in today's modern and technological age to fully
comprehend the enormity of the task of building structures such as the Greeks
and Romans did with the only real knowledge being simple pullies, fulcrums and
wheels - at least it is to me. Anybody who has the chance to visit Ephesus and
hasn't done so MUST do it.
On the way back the obligatory stop at a leather factory
showroom where I can only describe the prices as "tell 'em they-re
joking". I actually saw a reversible jacket I MAY have been interested at
say Euros 200 for which they were asking Euros 600! It is likely that the same
jacket will be available at the Grand Bazaar in Istanbul at the
"right" price. Anyway back onto the bus empty handed and to the ship
in what was very warm weather. A 15:00 departure while having a late lunch.
Kind of looking forward to dinner tonight lobster bisque and
prawn cocktail!!! Damn I find out that this was last night and hadn't been
changed!!! After dinner I join 300 or so soccer fans at the sports bar with
maybe 20 large screen TVs in watching Chelsea grind out a 0-0 draw against
Athletico Madrid.
I am very much looking forward to Istanbul, a city I like a
LOT! I will be spending 11 days in Istanbul in August "working" at
the World Youth Bridge Championships. I have arranged a private
driver/car/guide for the day with the program being Grand Bazaar (of course),
Haga Sophia, Blue Mosque and Topkapi Palace. The tour on the ship for the same
tour is Euros 153 per person including lunch whereas ours is Euros 80 without
lunch (it actually did include lunch) but MOST importantly no obligatory visit
to a jewellery and/or leather factory!
Arrived at Istanbul early and disembark to be met by a
driver who takes us to the Hippodrome where we meet our guide Selcuk
(+90-532-434-1060 guideselcuk@gmail.com) for what will an all foot tour with
all the attractions being in close proximity. Istanbul is a city of 17 million
people with 3100 Mosques 300 churches and 19 Synagogues. Last time I was here I
did a two day Jewish Tour of Istanbul which I can highly recommend.
The Hippodrome is where Chariot races were held with 10,000
spectators. The adjacent Blue Mosque, only called that because of the blue
tiles and in fact has nothing else blue there, is a most beautiful building
inside and out. Photos probably don't really do it justice. Our guide is Muslim
but describes himself as agnostic and non-practicing. When describing the
Mosque he says "and that is where the person who chants the services or
Hazan to you stands" For some reason that i can't really explain I feel
much more comfortable in Mosques than in Churches - go figure - maybe because
there is not sculptures or idols in a Mosque.
Then to the Haga Sophia which I had always thought described
the Saint Sophia but in fact this isn't correct. Sophia is one of Jesus'
virtues - wisdom and it refers to the place of Wisdom. The building was used
originally as a church (Byzantine) and later a Mosque but as a Mosque they
never damaged any of the church or its features just covered them over and
today it is not used for prayer (so as not to offend anybody says Selcuk).
Off to the Topkapi Palace, home of 600 years of Caliphs and
Sultans. It is a stunning building sitting on eight hectares with an outer area
for everybody, an middle area for the courtiers, and an inner sanctum for the
Sultan and his family. I vividly remember last time visiting the treasury which
had one of the most stunning collections of regal artefacts that I have ever
seen. Beautiful jewel encrusted headwear and swords, gifts from around the
world to the Sultans, the 22nd largest diamond in the world (86 carats),
jewellery of the Sultanas (I think that’s is right) and much much more - truly
amazing. The armoury is also worth a visit having an amazing array of
decorative weapons, mainly jewel encrusted swords, fancy firearms etc.
Off to a very tasty Mediterranean lunch at a nearby
restaurant which I discovered was included in the tour and then an hour and a
half shopping at the Grand Bazaar. Well I don't really need anything and
walking around a place like the Grand Bazaar with a non shopper isn’t conducive
to finding anything anyway. As I will be back in Istanbul for 11 days in August
(working at U25 Bridge Tourney) I don't feel I missed out on anything.
For any of my friends who haven't visited Istanbul - DO IT!
Back to the ship for a well-earned rest followed by a brief
visit to the Casino (still ahead) and a show of the songs of Queen. All the
shows last for just 30 minutes which seems short. Unfortunately Queen's songs
need big bold singers and these weren't.
After pleasant dinner
I tried to watch the second Champions League game involving Real Madrid but a
seat was impossible so an episode of Game of Thrones and off for what would
prove a good night’s sleep.
I slept in, a little for me anyway and went to 11:00 brunch in
the speciality restaurant. It was an amazingly good 8 course degustation lunch
– tartar, oysters, foie gras, eggs benedict, serrano ham, dessert buffet and
lots more. We spent three hours there looking at the sea and the occasional
Greek mainland pass by the ship while having deep and meaningful discussions
about life.
Being the only day at sea I have taken three hours to catch
up on emails, BAS Statements and such to free up my time in Genoa. The downside
is that I had to buy another internet package – oh well.
I am neutral to the possibility of more cruising on MSC.
While it provides everything one would expect it does so at a minimal level.
Activities for a day at sea are very limited – for some reason cooking class
but for kids not adults, Trivia, table tennis championships and bingo seems to
be it. The staff, unlike any other cruise, comprising mainly Eastern Europeans
seem gruff and unfriendly but do of course do what they are meant to but
without a smile or any grace.
In terms of travel plans the only places I have yet to ‘tick
off’ my list are: India (World Bridge Championships in Goa next year so who
knows), South Africa, North Africa and Central America. I haven’t done much of
South America and would like to see Peru, Columbia, Brazil and maybe Venezuela
where I have a great bridge friend. I don’t see much of that happening soon as
for 2015 I have in my mind doing six weeks around Australia with the dogs in a
campervan (grey nomad) and maybe ‘residing’ in Paris for four weeks but nothing
set in stone and things change quickly in my world. I also have in my mind to
perhaps conduct some bridge holidays so who knows!!!
Tomorrow will be Dubrovnik. As I am tour guided out and upon
recommendations of a few people I will simply be an FIT (free inbound tourist)
doing my own thing walking the old city and seeing if I can trace some of the
history of the place. It certainly was a factor in choosing this cruise so will
make the most of it.
Anyway enough for now. Catch all soon
XD
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